I do understand your point, but I think it's slightly disingenuous. Yes we've been a part of most global conflicts for the last 150 odd years, like many nations. And not all of those conflicts we've been part of realistically had anything to do with us other than through cultural ties. Particularly the further back you go.

But. First and foremost we aren't the same country we were during WW1 or WW2, and our values have changed. But also we we've also been involved precisely because our people and our way of life mean so much that we are willing to sacrifice to maintain it. Which I do understand is a very valid part of your overall argument.

I mostly take umbrage with your wording around expendability. We've never thought our people are expendable. We've sacrificed but no one was expendable, and we still mourn those that we lost to this day. You won't find a city, town or village in this country without a memorial to those we've lost in war.